File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix Garbled Thai Text in Excel (Font and Encoding Issues)

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to convert garbled text back into readable Thai characters, as the text is currently displaying incorrectly when using the Aptos Narrow font.

Product: Spreadsheets
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening or importing files containing Thai text data into a spreadsheet application.
Observed behavior: The Thai text appears as garbled or unreadable characters when formatted with the Aptos Narrow font, indicating an underlying character encoding or Unicode conversion issue.

Before you start

Determine the original source of your data (such as a CSV export from a local database) and keep a sample of the expected correct Thai text on hand to verify the encoding results.

Solution 1Recommended

Import and Convert Source Encoding to Unicode Thai

Mismatched character encoding during data import is the primary cause of garbled text. You must convert the text from its legacy encoding to Unicode before any font can display it properly.

When data is exported from older systems or specific regional databases, it often uses local encodings like TIS-620 or Windows-874 instead of standard UTF-8. If opened directly, the software misinterprets these characters, resulting in a garbled display regardless of the font you choose.

Open the Data Import Wizard

Instead of opening the file directly by double-clicking it, open a blank spreadsheet, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, and click 'From Text/CSV'.

Select the Garbled File

Browse your computer for the text or CSV file that contains the garbled Thai data and click 'Import'.

Change the File Origin Encoding

In the import preview window, locate the 'File Origin' or 'Encoding' dropdown menu. Change this setting from the default to 'Thai (Windows)' or 'TIS-620'. Observe the preview pane to ensure the Thai characters now display correctly.

Load the Data

Once the preview shows the correct Thai characters, click 'Load' to bring the text into your spreadsheet as standard Unicode data.

Re-applying formatting: If you already have the data in your spreadsheet and cannot re-import it, you may need to use a third-party encoding conversion tool or write a VBA macro to convert the existing Windows-874 bytes to Unicode.

Solution 2

Apply a Compatible Thai Font

After ensuring your text is properly encoded in Unicode, you must select a font that includes the correct glyphs for Thai characters, as some standard Western fonts like Aptos Narrow may lack full support.

Fix Text Encoding in WPS Office

Easily Import and Fix Thai Text Encoding with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet features a highly intuitive Data Import Wizard that lets you easily preview and select the correct regional encoding (like Thai Windows-874) to prevent garbled text problems right from the start.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office on your device and open a new blank spreadsheet.
2. Import the Data: Navigate to the 'Data' tab and click on 'Import Data', then select 'Import Data' again to open the file selection dialog. Choose your text or CSV file.
3. Select Thai Encoding: In the File Conversion dialog box, choose 'Other encoding' under the Text Encoding section. Select 'Thai' from the list until the preview box shows perfectly readable Thai characters, then click 'Finish'.

Advanced text import wizard with instant preview for various regional encodings.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and legacy CSV formats.Built-in support for international fonts, ensuring proper display of Thai scripts.Free, lightweight, and fast alternative for seamless data management.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Thai text appear garbled when using the Aptos Narrow font?

Garbled text is typically caused by the data being stored in a legacy non-Unicode encoding (like TIS-620) while the spreadsheet attempts to read it as standard text. Additionally, some versions of fonts like Aptos Narrow may not have complete glyph sets for rendering Thai tone marks correctly.

Can I fix garbled text by simply changing the font?

Usually, no. If the underlying character encoding is incorrect, changing the font will only change the style of the unreadable symbols. You must fix the encoding by re-importing the data with the correct 'File Origin' before applying a proper font.

What are the best fonts for displaying Thai characters in spreadsheets?

Fonts such as Tahoma, Leelawadee UI, Cordia New, Angsana New, and Browallia New are highly recommended. They are specifically designed with full support for Thai characters, including proper placement of upper and lower vowel and tone marks.

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